Apparatus, method and database for control of audio/video equipment

ABSTRACT

Control of audio/video equipment is provided by an apparatus constructed like a computer, with audio and video subsystems. The audio subsystem includes a programmable analog mixer and several analog and digital multiplexers to route and mix multiple inputs to multiple outputs. Databases are stored in computer mass storage to record preferences for playback of digital versatile discs, compact discs and audio files stored in the mass storage device, such as MP3 files. The playback preferences may include video output format, language, surround sound mode, etc. for DVDs and surround sound effects for CDs and audio files.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/002,721, filed Jan. 5, 1998 by Martin R. Wachter, entitled “AutomatedControl of Electronic Devices;” U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/060,876, filed Apr. 15, 1998 by Dale Tyson Roberts, et al. “entitledNetwork Delivery of Interactive Entertainment Complementing AudioRecordings” which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 08/838,082, filed Apr. 15, 1997 by Dale Tyson Roberts, et al.entitled “Network Delivery of Interactive Entertainment Synchronized toPlayback of Audio Recordings,” now U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,525; and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/227,086 filed Jan. 5, 1999 by Scott A.Jones et al. entitled “Playback Device Having Text Display andCommunication with Remote Database of Titles”, all incorporated hereinby reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to control of audio and videoequipment and, more particularly, to use of a computer in a devicehaving the capabilities of an audio/video receiver.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many type of consumer electronics audio/video equipment have beenintroduced in recent years and more are expected in the near future.There are a number of format for recording or playing back recordedsignals, whether they be audio-only or video with audio, such as compactdiscs (CD), digital versatile discs (DVD), video cassette tapes ofseveral types and audio tapes of several types. Additional formats anddevices to play back and sometimes to record audio using the new formatscontinued to be introduced. In addition, there are numerous formats forrecording both audio and video signals in computer mass storage some ofwhich are beginning to approach and sometimes surpass the quality ofbroadcast signals and recorded formats. There are also numerous types ofbroadcast signals transmitted from ground-based antennas, satellites,and cable systems. New formats, transmission modes and devices toproduce audio and video images therefrom continued to be introduced.However, there have been few advances in the control systems for suchdevices to simplify the use of such equipment.

Recently, some devices have begun to use on-screen menus and guides tosimplify the programming and selection of content. Examples include VCRplus video cassette recorders, and satellite television receivers.Devices such as TuneBase® provide computer control of CD changersincluding title, track, and cover art information displayed on acomputer monitor and television screen.

More recently, the audio and to a lesser extent video capabilities ofpersonal computers have expanded to include streaming signals receivedvia a network, buffered and reproduced, thereby not requiring largeamounts of storage, and compressed formats such as MPEG Layer 3, thatcan be reproduced with a quality between that of FM broadcasts andcompact discs. There are also computer cards that can be added to apersonal computer to provide a radio or television tuner, video oroutput to television monitors and sound and video processingcapabilities for digital Dolby® and MPEG-2 video.

There have been several attempts to package devices including suchcomponents. Examples include the Philips DVX 8000™ which had audiocomponents outside of the personal computer and the Gateway Destination™which output computer video in, e.g., VGA format, to a large screencomputer monitor. In addition, computer mass storage is used to storevideo signals not only by conventional computers, but also by devicessuch as TiVo™ and Replay TV™ which include television programmingguides.

Attempts are being made to make consumer electronics more intelligentusing JINI™ from Sun® Microsystems and Home Audio Video Interface fromSony®. However, there are no known systems that are effective inproviding a powerful and simple control system for audio and videodevices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an audio/visualreceiver with sophisticated computer programming.

It is another object of the present invention to combine playlists ofaudio recorded on discs and tapes with files in computer mass storage.

It is a further object of the present invention to reproduce audio frommultiple forms of recorded signals using playback preferences, includingdigital signal processing for surround sound effects, for entire discs,individual tracks and files in computer mass storage.

It is yet another object of the present invention to play back recordedsignals on digital versatile discs using playback preferences of atleast one of audio and video formats saved from a previous use of thedigital versatile disc.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide anaudio/video component able to switch audio and video separately androute or mix audio signals, from multiple inputs to multiple outputs.

The above objects can be attained by a method of playing back a recordedsignal, including obtaining a recording identifier corresponding to therecorded signal; comparing the recording identifier with previouslystored identifiers in a playback preference database; and reproducingthe recorded signal using previously stored preferences if the recordingidentifier is found in the playback preference database and usingdefault preferences if the recording identifier is not found in theplayback preference database.

Preferably, the database stores information on at least one of audio andvideo formats, such as surround sound mode, language of audio in therecorded signal, and video output format when the recorded signal is ona digital versatile disc. The previously stored preferences are obtainedduring a previous playback of the recorded signal. Preferably, thedatabase also stores playlist records with a playlist identifier foreach playlist; an order within the playlist for a recorded signal; adisc identifier when the recorded signal is obtained from a digitallyencoded disc; a filename when the recorded signal is obtained from adigitally encoded file on a mass storage device; and the playbackpreferences for the recorded signal.

The above objects are also be obtained by a method of controllingaudio/video equipment, including selecting a first source from amonginputs including at least two of a computer file, a computer dataconnection, a digitally encoded disc player, a radio tuner, a televisionaudio decoder, an MPEG decoder, a S/PDIF input, a microphone, anexternal video signal and an external audio signal; selecting a firstoutput for the first source from among outputs including a computer massstorage device and at least one of speakers, headphones, an audio tapedevice, and a video tape device; and routing the first source to thefirst output. The inputs can also be routed or mixed to others of theavailable outputs simultaneously by switching and multiplexing circuits.Preferably a graphical user interface is used in performing this methodof controlling audio/video equipment.

These together with other objects and advantages which will besubsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system according to the presentinvention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B form a block diagram of an audio subsystem in the systemillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are database record structure diagrams.

FIG. 4 is a data class object interface diagram.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a remote control for use with a systemaccording to the present invention.

FIGS. 6A-6H are display screens of the user interface that controls asystem according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of operation of a system according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of playback of recorded signals according to thepresent invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Illustrated in FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system 20 according to thepresent invention. The system 20 has an overall construction of acomputer with audio 22 and video 24 subsystems. The usual computercomponents of a CPU 26, RAM 28 and mass storage (hard disk) 30 areconnected by main bus 32. In FIG. 1, the common IBM personal computernorthbridge 34 and southbridge 36 structures are also illustrated, butthe present invention is not limited to this computer architecture. Inaddition, computer network connections 38 are provided, such as a localarea network connection 40 and modem 42. A high speed device interface44, such as IEEE-1394, is also connected to main bus 32, to provide aconnection to components such as removable disc drive 46 for readingdigital versatile discs, compact discs, etc., and additional externaldevices at ports 48, 50.

In FIG. 1 some of the major components of the audio subsystem 22 areillustrated, with additional details provided in FIG. 2. The componentsillustrated in FIG. 1 include AM/FM tuner 52 and a programmable analogmixer 54, such as an AC97 codec available for many chip manufacturers;one example is Crystal Semiconductor CS4297A. Also illustrated in FIG. 1are decoders 56 of several types including Sony-Philips digitalinterface (S/PDIF), analog/digital converters and digital/analogconverters, as described in more detail below. Digital signal processor58 performs processing of audio signals, e.g., to provide surround soundeffects such as hall, stadium, club, church, etc. Also supported areDigital Dolby, DTS and variable echo, reverberation, loudness, speed anddirection. An example of a DSP chip that can be used is a CrystalSemiconductor CS 4296

In video subsystem 24, television tuner 60 may be provided by a PhilipsSemiconductor module F1236 MK2-PH or similar device. Video decoder 62may be provided by components such as one or more Video Matrix TEA6425chips for decoding S-video inputs and a peripheral device coupled tomain bus 32, such as an ATI Rage® Theater™ graphics chip or similargraphics component. Encoder 64 and decoder 66 for Motion Picture ExpertsGroup (MPEG-2 or ISO 13818) compressed digital video, and graphicsmodule 68 may be provided by, e.g., an ATI Rage® 128 AGP card coupled tographics bus 70.

Southbridge 36 provides connection to other peripheral devices throughthe universal serial bus (USB) ports to devices, such as an infraredoutput 72, e.g., a JDS IR-XP², for controlling devices connected toapparatus 20. Other ports 74 are provided for devices having othercontrol inputs, such as RS-232, Sony's S-link, etc. Additionalconventional television components such as a comb filter (e.g., aPhilips TDA9183T or similar chip for S-video components) may be includedin video subsystem 24.

A block diagram of the audio subsystem is illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2Bwhich should be combined with FIG. 2A on the left and FIG. 2B on theright. The inputs on the left include AM/FM tuner 52 and AC97 codec 54illustrated in FIG. 1. Other input devices include television audiodecoder 100 which may be Philips TDA 9850 and MPEG-2 decoder 102, suchas an IBM CD1M or Sigma Designs EM8220. Each of the input components 52,54, 100 and 102 have one or more inputs not shown in FIG. 2A.

The input jacks illustrated in FIG. 2A include front line-in jack (video3) 104. rear line-in jacks 106, 108 for video 1 and video 2,respectively, rear line-in audio jacks 110, 112 for, e.g., a CD changerand a tape deck, microphone jack 114 and S/PDIF input 116. Inputs foradditional audio and video devices may also be included. In addition,one or more internal connections 120 may be provided for, e.g., CD audioheaders and other audio from removable media drive 46 (FIG. 1). Forexample, not illustrated in FIG. 2A are connections to the inputs ofAC97 codec 54 and MPEG-2 decoder 102 to receive pulse code modulated(PCM) output from software that decodes digitally encoded audio fileslike MP3 files. Either AC97 codec 54 or MPEG-2 decoder 102 could be usedas the input for PCM audio, but MPEG-2 decoder 102 is preferred so thatthe signal is converted to analog only once.

Some of the inputs, such as microphone jack 114 and S/PDIF input 116 areconnected to processing components, i.e., microphone pre-amplifier 122and digital audio receiver 124, respectively. Digital audio receiver 124may be a Crystal Semiconductor CS8414 which changes the S/PDIF inputsignal (whether received from an optical interface or a coaxialconnector) containing, e.g., AC3, DTS or PCM digital audio into digitalsignals matching the clock signal and voltage levels used by audiosubsystem 22.

AC97 codec 54 receives analog inputs from, e.g., rear line-in jacks 106,108, internal audio line 120, and microphone pre-amplifier 122. Inaddition, the main output (described below) may be fed back to AC97codec 54 which performs analog mixing from the various inputs itreceives. The output of AC97 codec 54 is supplied to three multiplexers,VCR line output multiplexer 130 also receivers inputs from front andrear line-in jacks for video 104, 106 and 108; tape line output audiomultiplexer 132 also receives input from AM/FM tuner 52, televisionaudio decoder 100, video line-in jacks 104, 106, 108, audio line-injacks 110, 112, and internal line 120; and main input audio multiplexer134 receives the same input as tape line output multiplexer 132. VCR andtape line output audio multiplexers 130, 132 are directly supplied torear line-out jacks 136, 138. The output from main input audiomultiplexer 134 is supplied to an operational amplifier 140, such asMotorola MC33078 prior to conversion to digital form in analog/digitalconverter 142, such as Crystal Semiconductor CS5334. The digital inputs102, 116 require no conversion and are selected or mixed by digitalmultiplexer 144.

The digital output signals from analog/digital converter 142 and digitalmultiplexer 144 are supplied to DSP 58 for digital signal processing toprovide surround sound effects, etc. Digital/analog converters 146-148convert the output from DSP 58 to analog audio signals. The rearsurround signals and center/subwoofer signals from D/A converters 146,147 are supplied to volume control circuits 150, 152 and pass throughmute controls 154, 156 before being routed to rear line-out jacks 158,160. The subwoofer signal from volume control 152 is supplied todiscrete mixer 162 along with the output from D/A converter 148 and AC97codec 54. The output of discrete mixer 162 is supplied to volume control164 and passes through mute control 166 prior to being supplied to rearline-out jacks 168. The output of discrete mixer 162 is also supplied toAC97 codec 54 and audio multiplexers 130 and 132 for VCR and tape lineoutputs.

Additional multiplexers could be added to provide additional outputs,just as noted above, additional inputs could be provided. In theillustrated embodiment, the audio subsystem provides up to fourindependent outputs that can be selected from, or mixtures of, up to 12input sources. This permits the audio to be selected from an AM/FM tuneror streaming audio obtained from the Internet via modem 42 or Ethernetconnection 40 via AC 97 codec 54, while viewing a related video program,such as a sports event or concert. It also permits mixing of audiosignals from e.g., a video camcorder connected to one of the video jackswith music from a CD in removable media drive 46, AM/FM tuner 52,computer files via AC97 codec 54, etc., or with words spoken into amicrophone connected to microphone jack 114. In addition, it is possibleto perform multiple tasks simultaneously, such as recording any inputsignal, while at the same time copying a video tape, and watching andlistening to a DVD or television broadcast.

Control of audio subsystem 22 and video subsystem 24 is provided by aprogram executing in CPU 26. The control functions performed by the CPU26 includes selection and mixing of audio signals. To support thesecontrol functions, databases are stored in mass storage 30. Thestructure of databases for recorded audio and television are illustratedin FIGS. 3A and 3B, respectively, as examples of the databasesmaintained by system 20. Additional databases are provided for othertypes of content, such as broadcast and Internet radio, DVDs, etc.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A, one of the databases contains playlists ofrecorded audio. Each record in the playlist database may include a nameassigned to the playlist, a cover filename for a file used to produce animage associated with the playlist, an artist field identifying thecontent producer and a genre field identifying the type of content.Another table in the database is named playlist-song which is indexed byplaylist name and order within the playlist. Other fields in theplaylist-song table are filename which identifies a file stored in massstorage device 30 containing digitally encoded audio, and disc ID ordisc name which are used to identify a disc in a disc changer connectedto system 20. Either or both of the disc ID and disc name may be used toidentify the disc and a track number may be identified to select one ofthe tracks on the disc. Audio effects may be specified, such as echo,reverberation, loudness, speed and direction for control of DSP 58 andvolume control circuits 150, 152, 164. The filename is not provided ifthe audio recording is obtained from a disc and similarly the disc ID,disc name and track number fields are not used if the filename isprovided.

Additional tables are provided for all audio discs that have been playedby the system or inserted into the changer(s) connected to system 20with the same fields as provided for each playlist, plus the disc ID.The information about each track on the disc is maintained in a separatetable with the same fields, except cover filename and the additionalfield length and title. A disabled flag may be included to skip specifictracks. A similar table may be maintained for all of the files stored inmass storage 30, and a table is maintained for genre and subgenre asillustrated in FIG. 3A.

Also illustrated in FIG. 3A is a table for recordings from externalsources which require manual intervention to provide the identifiedrecording. Any single-play device would fall into this category, such asa tape deck, mini disc deck, etc. Portable devices whether using tape,disc, solid state or other memory storage would also fall into thiscategory.

At the present time, techniques have been developed for identifyingcompact discs when an industry standard identifiers is not provided.Databases are accessible via the Internet to provide information, suchas title, artists and genre and to provide access to associated imagesthat can be displayed by system 20. However, at the present time, therecordings listed in the external source table would require manualselection of the entry together with manual operations to provide therecording for playback.

Although the table discussed above as identifying files stored in massstorage 30 is illustrated in the FIG. 3A as having the name MP3, anyaudio file may be included in the table or separate tables may be usedfor different file formats. The software executed by CPU 26 can be usedto manually or automatically download programs to playback the files.The filename extension, for example, may be used by the operating systemto identify the program to be used for playback.

In addition, new formats are being developed for audio discs, such assuper CD, DVD audio, etc. These or any other subsequently developedformats that require or permit additional processing or effects may behandled by a separate table or additional records or fields forappropriate control of DSP 58.

A separate database (not shown) is preferably maintained for DVDs,including disc ID, title, video output format and surround sound mode.Additional fields, such as angles, language, etc. may be includeddepending upon what selections can be made during playback on the discsthat are played. When a DVD containing video and audio content is, e.g.,inserted into removable media drive 46, an entry in the table isgenerated by the software executing in CPU 26. Associated content, suchas cover art, may be automatically downloaded from the Internet. As theuser goes through the menu selection to setup playback of the DVD, theselections are recorded in the database. As a result, the next time thesame DVD is inserted or selected for playback, play can beginimmediately using the previously selected formats and modes.

A database is illustrated in FIG. 3B for broadcast television programs.System 20 is designed to be used with television signals received fromland-based antennas, satellites and cable systems. Information on sourceof program, rating, beginning and ending time or length, paymentinformation for pay-per-view, etc. may all be stored in the database.Storing such information enables guides like those described below to bedisplayed.

FIG. 4 shows the data class object interface of software executing inCPU 26 to access the databases like those illustrated in FIGS. 3A and3B. The databases maintained by system 20 may be implemented usingMicrosoft Access as indicated by databases 300 in FIG. 4. MFC API 310 isused to access the databases 300. Separate class objects 312, 314, 316call the MFC API 310. The song class object has at least two types, CDtrack 318 and mass storage file (MP3) 320. There are three radio stationclasses AM 322, FM 324 and Internet 326. There is only a single DVDchapter class 328. However, there may be other class objects such asvideo files and external source recordings. Collection class object 330is used to store user-selected collections of songs 332, radio stations334, and television stations (not shown). DVD chapters 336 on a DVD arealso maintained as a collection. Carousel class object 340 is used tostore all recorded audio in song collection carousel 342; radiostations, whether AM, FM or Internet, in radio station collectioncarousel 344; and DVD chapters of all discs that have been accessed bysystem 20 in DVD chapter collection carousel 346.

All of the classes may be accessed by dialogs. Illustrated in FIG. 4 aretwo player dialogs 350, 352 and corresponding guide dialogs 354, 356.Each player dialog corresponds to one of the modes of operation, such asaudio player, television, radio, etc. and thus, there are more playerdialogs than illustrated in FIG. 4. As indicated in FIG. 4, there areoptions dialogs 360, 362, 364, 366 corresponding to the player and guidedialogs. These dialogs 350, 352, 354, 356, 360, 362, 364, 366 generatethe screen formats described below with reference to the plan view ofremote control 400 in FIG. 5 and the display screens in FIGS. 6A-6H.

During installation, system 20 is connected to other components, such asspeakers, CD changer(s), a television monitor, a satellite or cable settop device or receiver, video cassette recorder, etc. Infrared remotecontrol codes for the connected components are obtained from an internaldatabase, or a database on a recording medium, or by downloading fromthe Internet. The Internet connection may be provided by a telephoneline connected to modem 42, a local area network via Ethernet connection40 and external cable modem or satellite connection, etc. Remote controlcodes available at, e.g., www.ueic.com may be downloaded on an as neededbasis by system 20, or may be distributed on computer-readable media,such as a CD-ROM, or otherwise supplied when component(s) are connectedto system 20. The connected devices can then be controlled using IRoutput device 72 as described in the related application Ser. No.09/002,721.

Preferably, remote control 400 is used to control system 20. Remotecontrol 400 may be an infrared remote or a radio frequency remote andmay have a minimal number of buttons as described in related applicationSer. No. 09/002,721 or have buttons in a layout like that illustrated inFIG. 5. In either case, user selections of positions on the screen orbuttons on remote control 400 are translated by software executing inCPU 26 to generate the required internal operations or externaloperations communicated by infrared remote control commands orelectrical connections to the component being controlled.

When the system 20 is turned on or powered up from stand-by mode, theinitial screen display may be the control screen for the last controlledcomponent. when system 20 is first turned on, system 20 is set up tooperate all of the components connected thereto and system 20 is left ina control mode for one of the components, such as a television. Thesecond time that system 20 is turned on the same control screen, e.g., atelevision guide like that illustrated in FIG. 6A is displayed. Usingthe remote illustrated in FIG. 5, it is easy to select another mode fromthe mode select buttons 401-410.

The selection of different modes, i.e., sources of input and output, isdepicted in the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 7. An initial source ofinput is determined 710 from the last controlled component or bypressing one of the mode select buttons 401-410. For example, whentelevision is selected, a TV guide like that illustrated in FIG. 6A maybe displayed 720. Just as the last controlled component determined theinitial source of input, the last output for that source or a defaultoutput, such as speakers, will initially be selected 730 and connected740 to the initial source. Another output may also be selected 750, 760,730. An example of an another output is a VCR which may be selected 730by pressing record button 412 on remote control 400.

After the desired channel has been selected, the user may change from TVguide mode to regular television mode by pressing play button 414 onremote control 400. The screen display changes to a display like thatillustrated in FIG. 6B. After a few seconds, the information overlaywill disappear and the television signal as received from the selectedsource will be displayed without conversion. The information overlayillustrated in FIG. 6B can be regenerated for a few seconds by pressingdisplay button 416 on remote control 400. Note that if it is desired tohave system 20 work like a conventional television, the initial displaycan be the television mode illustrated in FIG. 6B, rather than TV guidemode as illustrated in FIG. 6A. The display can be changed to the TVguide mode by pressing guide button 418.

In TV guide mode, the display is generated by CPU 26 with the signalfrom the selected television channel displayed in a window covering aportion of the screen in a conventional manner, as illustrated in FIG.6A. The user can interact with the remainder of the display as aconventional graphical user interface having the screen formatillustrated in the drawings. For example, an operating system likeWindows® NT, 95 or 98, or Apple® Mac® OS 9 to generate the screendisplays not illustrated in FIG. 6B, as described in related applicationSer. No. 09/060,876. As channels are selected, a description and anassociated image may be displayed as illustrated in FIG. 6A. Thechannels displayed on the TV guide may be all available channels,channels available from a previously selected source, channels in apreviously defined group, etc.

The “Activelink” button displayed on the screen in FIG. 6A may beselected using cursor or mouse control 420 or by pressing E-Link button422 on remote control 400 to access web sites related to the selectedprogram. The initial web site is identified by the enhancement tableillustrated in FIG. 3B. Subsequent links are provided from that website. The enhancement table illustrated in FIG. 3B is preferablyautomatically updated on a subscription or scheduled basis, or byinformation received while connected to a selected channel. Theenhancement table which is also used in other modes can be updateddifferently in different modes, as described below.

Any of the other sources of input identified on mode select keys 401-410may be selected instead of or simultaneously with the first source. Forexample, if television is selected 710 as the first source and a VCR isselected 750, 760, 730 as a second output, simultaneously with output tospeakers, connections will be established 740 by main input audiomultiplexer 134 and VCR line output audio multiplexer 130 to route theaudio to speaker jacks 158, 160, 168 and VCR jacks 136. Similarmultiplexers (not shown) in video subsystem 24 route the televisionsignal to video inputs of any conventional television monitor and videocassette recorder or other recording device (not shown).

Once the recording of the television program has been started, the usermay select 770, 780, 710 a different mode, such as DVD mode by pressingDVD button 402. This causes display 720 of a DVD guide for all DVDspreviously used with system 20, like that illustrated in FIG. 6C. Inaddition, pressing another mode button may cause an immediate selection730 and connection 740 of the default output, e.g., speakers to the newsource of input.

If a DVD is placed into the system, or one of the entries in the DVDguide is selected and a DVD changer is connected, a screen like thatillustrated in FIG. 6D is initially displayed. The same screen displayis generated when display button 414 is pressed. As described above, thevideo output format (e.g., standard 4:3 or one of the letterboxformats), surround sound mode, language, rating, viewing angles, etc.are read from the database and used to control the DVD player to beginplaying the disc without requiring setting by the user each time.

When radio button 403 is selected, a display screen like thatillustrated in FIG. 6E may be displayed for the station listened to lasttime in radio mode. Information about the selected station is providedin a text box based on one of the databases 300 (FIG. 4). Other stationsmay be selected using the buttons below the text box and added topresets displayed on the right. Selection of the “Activelink” buttondisplayed on the screen or E-Link button 422 on the remote providesaccess to the web site maintained the selected radio station, or anotherrelated web site, such as a web site related to a currently playing asong or commercial, where that information is available in theinformation stream or a database.

When guide button 418 is selected in radio mode, a radio guide like thatillustrated in FIG. 6F may be displayed. Previously defined collectionsor favorites are indicated near the top of the screen and availablestations from broadcast bands and the Internet are displayed. Thedisplay may be ordered by number as illustrated in FIG. 6D, or any ofthe other columns by selecting the column heading. Direct access isavailable by pressing number(s) on the keypad 424 or the cursor or mousecontrols 420.

When CD button 407 is selected, a display like that illustrated in FIG.6G is generated for a currently selected compact disc (CD). Asillustrated in FIG. 8, a recording identifier is obtained 805 asdescribed in related application Ser. Nos. 09/060,876 and 09/227,086.Database 810 is accessed 815 and if the current recording identifier isnot found 820, a remote database may be accessed and a record created825 in database 810 for the current recording identifier. The newlycreated or previously stored preferences in database 810 are used 830 asthe compact disc begins to play. Play button 414 and other playbackcontrol buttons 430 are used to control playback of the CD.

Compact discs are not the only source of recorded audio that can beplayed back by system 20. When guide button 418 is selected in audioplayer mode, a recorded audio guide like that illustrated in FIG. 6H isdisplayed from the playlist database illustrated in FIG. 3A. If aplaylist is selected that includes 840 one or more digitally encodedaudio files stored in mass storage 30, system 20 will check 845 that aprogram is stored that can play back 850 the file like a CD using audiopreferences, such as surround sound effects. System 20 will alsoautomatically update 850 the program used to play back files on asubscription or as used basis.

Initially, each CD has an entry in the playlist database with the tracksin the order on the CD with default preferences. If there is a change855 in the audio control settings during playback, the preferences indatabase 810 are updated 860. The order of play in the playlist databasecan be rearranged with tracks deleted from play, or a new playlist canbe generated with tracks copied from the initial playlist for the CD.Other playlist can be generated, with names like those illustrated inFIG. 6G with type PL. A playlist may have a combination of CD tracks andfiles stored in mass storage 30. As noted above, not only MP3 files, butalso other formats that digitally encoded audio recordings may beselected for playback in the recorded audio guide.

As discussed above with respect to TV mode, record button 412 may bepressed in TV, radio and CD modes to start recording of the currentselection. A default device may be assigned to each source and the usermay select a different output. For example, in TV mode, when recordbutton 412 is pressed, a portion of the screen can be used to display aprompt like “press Record again to begin recording on VCR 1, or pressOptions to select a different device.” A similar screen for initiallyrecording to an audio tape deck may be displayed when in the radio mode.The default might be creation of an MP3 file or a CD or mini disc, whenin CD mode. The list of devices displayed as available for recording aredetermined by a database (not shown) of components connected to system20. Further options may be displayed to postpone recording untiladditional sources are selected, so that input sources may be mixed.Also, sources may be added to a recording currently under way for, e.g.,voice-over on a video or audio recording, supplied by a microphoneconnected to microphone jack 114.

After recording has been selected for one mode, such as a CD to a CDrecorder or a mini disc deck, another mode may be selected while therecording process continues to, e.g., select one VCR for input andanother VCR for output. Then, another mode, such as TV, radio, Internetbrowsing (button 404) or e-mail (button 405) may be selected. In thelatter modes, a standard computer keyboard (not shown) may be used tocommunicate with system 20 by cable, infrared, or radio frequency. If athird device, such as another VCR or a digital television recorder isavailable, while the CD and video are copied, a broadcast signal from TVor radio may also be recorded. This may include the recording of thevideo signal from a broadcast television program and the audio from abroadcast or Internet station of the same event onto a video cassetterecorder.

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from thedetailed specification and, thus, it is intended by the appended claimsto cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fallwithin the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, sincenumerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilledin the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exactconstruction and operation illustrated and described, and accordinglyall suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, fallingwithin the scope of the invention.

1. A method of playing back a recorded signal, comprising: obtaining arecording identifier corresponding to the recorded signal; comparing therecording identifier with previously stored identifiers in a playbackpreference database; and reproducing the recorded signal usingpreviously stored preferences if the recording identifier is found inthe playback preference database and using default preferences if therecording identifier is not found in the playback preference database.2. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising: obtainingplayback preferences during said reproducing; and storing the playbackpreferences in the playback preference database.
 3. A method as recitedin claim 2, wherein the playback preferences include audio controlsettings.
 4. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein the audio controlsettings include programmable effects.
 5. A method as recited in claim4, further comprising obtaining the recorded signal from a compact disc.6. A method as recited in claim 4, further comprising obtaining therecorded signal from a file of digitally encoded audio on a computerreadable medium.
 7. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein the file isdigitally encoded using ISO-MPEG Audio Layer-3.
 8. A method as recitedin claim 6, wherein the computer readable medium is a computer massstorage device, and wherein said method further comprises: detectingchanges in software available to playback the recorded signal, andautomatically downloading the software to playback the recorded signal.9. A method as recited in claim 4, wherein the programmable effects aresurround sound effects.
 10. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein theaudio control settings include at least one of echo, reverberation,loudness, speed and direction.
 11. A method as recited in claim 2,further comprising obtaining the recorded signal from a digitalversatile disc.
 12. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein theplayback preferences include at least one of audio and video controlsettings.
 13. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein the playbackpreferences include surround sound mode.
 14. A method as recited inclaim 12, wherein the playback preferences include language of audio inthe recorded signal.
 15. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein theplayback preferences include content rating.
 16. A method as recited inclaim 12, wherein the playback preferences include at least one viewingangle.
 17. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein the playbackpreferences include video output mode.
 18. A method as recited in claim11, wherein the default preferences include at least one of surroundsound mode, language of audio in the recorded signal, and video outputformat, and wherein as many of the default preferences are used asavailable on the digital versatile disc if the recording identifier isnot found in the playback preference database.
 19. A non-transitorycomputer-readable mass storage device comprising at least one computerprogram for playing back a recorded signal, wherein execution of the atleast one computer program carries out functions comprising: obtaining arecording identifier corresponding to the recorded signal; comparing therecording identifier with previously stored identifiers in a playbackpreference database; and reproducing the recorded signal usingpreviously stored preferences if the recording identifier is found inthe playback preference database and using default preferences if therecording identifier is not found in the playback preference database.20. The non-transitory computer-readable mass storage device as recitedin claim 19, wherein execution of the at least one computer programfurther carries out functions comprising: obtaining playback preferencesduring said reproducing; and storing the playback preferences in theplayback preference database.
 21. The non-transitory computer-readablemass storage device as recited in claim 20, wherein the playbackpreferences include audio control settings.
 22. The non-transitorycomputer-readable mass storage device as recited in claim 21, whereinthe audio control settings include programmable effects.
 23. Thenon-transitory computer-readable mass storage device as recited in claim22, wherein execution of the at least one computer program carries outobtaining the recorded signal from a compact disc.
 24. Thenon-transitory computer-readable mass storage device as recited in claim22, wherein execution of the at least one computer program carries outobtaining the recorded signal from a file of digitally encoded audio ona computer readable medium.
 25. The non-transitory computer-readablemass storage device as recited in claim 24, wherein the file isdigitally encoded using ISO-MPEG Audio Layer-3.
 26. The non-transitorycomputer-readable mass storage device as recited in claim 24, whereinthe computer readable medium is another non-transitory computer-readablemass storage device, and wherein execution of the at least one computerprogram further carries out functions comprising: detecting changes insoftware available to playback the recorded signal, and automaticallydownloading the software to playback the recorded signal.
 27. Thenon-transitory computer-readable mass storage device as recited in claim22, wherein the programmable effects are surround sound effects.
 28. Thenon-transitory computer-readable mass storage device as recited in claim21, wherein the audio control settings include at least one of echo,reverberation, loudness, speed and direction.
 29. The non-transitorycomputer-readable mass storage device as recited in claim 20, whereinexecution of the at least one computer program carries out obtaining therecorded signal from a digital versatile disc.
 30. The non-transitorycomputer-readable mass storage device as recited in claim 29, whereinthe playback preferences include at least one of audio and video controlsettings.
 31. The non-transitory computer-readable mass storage deviceas recited in claim 30, wherein the playback preferences includesurround sound mode.
 32. The non-transitory computer-readable massstorage device as recited in claim 30, wherein the playback preferencesinclude language of audio in the recorded signal.
 33. The non-transitorycomputer-readable mass storage device as recited in claim 30, whereinthe playback preferences include content rating.
 34. The non-transitorycomputer-readable mass storage device as recited in claim 30, whereinthe playback preferences include at least one viewing angle.
 35. Thenon-transitory computer-readable mass storage device as recited in claim30, wherein the playback preferences include video output mode.
 36. Thenon-transitory computer-readable mass storage device as recited in claim29, wherein the default preferences include at least one of surroundsound mode, language of audio in the recorded signal, and video outputformat, and wherein as many of the default preferences are used asavailable on the digital versatile disc if the recording identifier isnot found in the playback preference database.